Can You ‘Think Beyond Plastic’? You Could Win $50,000

Plastic pollution is turning our entire planet into a toxic landfill. From the millions of plastic bags and bottles that litter the world’s streets to the tiny bits of floating petroleum we call the Great Pacific Garbage Patch–our plastic addiction is obvious and needs immediate treatment.

Think Beyond Plastic hopes to use our entrepreneurial spirit find a solution to the plastic pollution crisis. Both a competition and conference, Think Beyond Plastic calls on all entrepreneurs around the world to develop products or solutions that successfully combine measurable reduction of plastic pollution, entrepreneurship and creativity. Do you have an idea that would help take plastic out of the waste stream? This could be your big break.

With the support of major names like Bonnaroo and Rolling Stone, Think Beyond Plastic is looking for ideas that are sustainable, viable, scalable and big-thinking. Judges want to hear from those with ideas for innovative products and services that contribute to an eco-friendly, plastic-free lifestyle, and score highly on convenience, quality and design.

The competition is open to any early stage company with an existing product or team with an early prototype that positively impacts the problem of plastic pollution. The first place winner will receive an investment of $50,000 from A-Spark Good Ventures, with a 10% equity stake, as well as $5,000 of legal services from Cooley LLP. There’s also a prize for the ‘best idea’ which is an investment of $10,000 from A-Spark Good Ventures, with an 5% equity stake, as well as $3,000 in legal services from Cooley LLP.

Beth Buczynski is a freelancer writer and editor currently living in the Rocky Mountain West. Her articles appear on Care2, Ecosalon and Inhabitat, just to name a few. So far, Beth has lived in or near three major U.S. mountain ranges, and is passionate about protecting the important ecosystems they represent. Follow Beth on Twitter as @ecosphericblog